About this Unit
USS Simon Bolivar (SSBN-641) was a Benjamin Franklin-class fleet ballistic missile submarine commissioned by the United States Navy in 1965. Named after the South American liberator Simón Bolívar, the submarine conducted strategic deterrent patrols during the Cold War, armed with Polaris and later Poseidon ballistic missiles. Over nearly three decades of service, Simon Bolivar played a key role in the U.S. Navy’s nuclear deterrence mission, conducting numerous patrols in both the Atlantic and Mediterranean. The submarine was decommissioned in 1995 and subsequently scrapped under the Nuclear-Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program.
Historical Facts
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Namesake: USS Simon Bolivar (SSBN-641) was named after Simón Bolívar, the South American revolutionary leader who played a key role in Latin America's successful struggle for independence from the Spanish Empire.
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Commissioning Date: The submarine was commissioned on October 29, 1965, at Groton, Connecticut.
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Class: Simon Bolivar was a Benjamin Franklin-class ballistic missile submarine, an improved version of the Lafayette class with additional technical upgrades.
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Dual Crew Concept: Like most U.S. ballistic missile submarines, Simon Bolivar operated with two complete crews, Blue and Gold, to maximize patrol time at sea.
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Missile Systems: The boat was originally equipped with Polaris A3 ballistic missiles and later upgraded to carry Poseidon C3 missiles, enhancing its nuclear deterrent capability.
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Patrols: Over her career, the USS Simon Bolivar completed more than 70 strategic deterrent patrols, primarily in the Atlantic Ocean, during the height of the Cold War.
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Home Ports: The submarine operated from several home ports, including Charleston, South Carolina, and later from Kings Bay, Georgia, following the relocation of the Atlantic Fleet's SSBN base.
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Overhauls: Simon Bolivar underwent significant overhauls at Newport News Shipbuilding and at the Charleston Naval Shipyard, including a major refueling and conversion to carry the Poseidon missile system.
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Decommissioning: USS Simon Bolivar was decommissioned and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on February 8, 1995, and later scrapped via the Nuclear-Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program at Bremerton, Washington.
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Legacy: The submarine earned one Navy "E" Ribbon and the Navy Expeditionary Medal during her service, and her crew members remain active in veterans' associations, keeping her legacy alive.
